Histopathological lesion in the gill of Clarias gariepinus exposed to sublethal dose of insecticidal fruit extract of Dinnettia tripetala

Abstract

Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (size range and body weight of 3.9-6.0cm and 0.08-3.75g respectively) were exposed to sublethal dose (0.7g/l) of ethanolic extract of Dinnettia tripetala fruit in a static bioassay to examine its histopathological effects on the fish gill. The deleterious effects of D. tripetala as an icthyotoxic plant was depicted by condensed and diminished clara and pilaster cells accompanied by mucous cell proliferation in the treated gill tissue. These structural alterations hindered gaseous exchange in the gill leading to histotoxic hypoxia.